Paul Aloysius Kenna

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Paul Aloysius Kenna
16 August 1862–30 August 1915

Place of birth Everton, Liverpool
Place of death Suvla Bay, Turkey
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service –1915
Rank Brigadier General
Battles/wars Mahdist War
World War I
Awards VC, DSO

Brigadier General Paul Aloysius Kenna VC DSO (16 August 1862 in Everton, Liverpool - 30 August 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to British and British Empire forces.

Kenna was 36 years old, and a captain in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's), British Army during the Sudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC (currently on display in the The Queen's Royal Lancers Regimental Museum, Belvoir Castle):

On 2 September 1898, at the Battle of Omdurman, Sudan, when a major of the 21st Lancers was in danger, as his horse had been shot in the charge, Captain Kenna took the major up on his own horse, to a place of safety. After the charge Captain Kenna returned to help Lieutenant De Montmorency who was trying to recover the body of an officer who had been killed.

He competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics for Great Britain as a horse rider. He did not finish the Individual eventing (Military) competition, also the British team did not finish the team event. In the individual jumping event he finished 27th.

He was killed in action at Suvla, Turkey during the Battle of Gallipoli on 30 August 1915, aged 53.

[edit] Education

Kenna was educated at Stonyhurst College and St. Francis Xavier College in Liverpool - he is honoured in a memorial which can be seen in the main hall of the current college site in Beaconsfield Road, Liverpool.

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